Huayu: Hard fight against Zhang Weiping at the beginning

Chapter 449 Visiting Team
A film like "Moon" is actually quite simple to shoot.

All the scenes are the same over and over again: the space capsule, the intelligent robot Moss, and the lunar rover responsible for mining outside.

Most of the story takes place in the space capsule, with only three exits.

The first scenes are basically the protagonist's daily life in the space capsule, exercising, watching videos, and talking with Moss...

There were almost no NGs in the shots of a single person, and it became a little difficult when clone No. 5 and clone No. 6 were in the same frame.

Jason plays two roles.

Every time the two of them perform together, Jason needs to play the role of Clone No. 5 first, and then change clothes to play the role of Clone No. 6.

By then, the overall picture will be completed by putting the two people's performances in the same frame in post-production. The only thing to pay attention to is to avoid any mistakes in some details.

However, there is a way to solve this problem. This time, Zhang Chen adopted digital shooting, which means he used a digital camera instead of a traditional film camera.

One advantage of a digital camera is that you can see the images in real time, so any mistakes can be spotted immediately.

For example, if two people are chatting in the same frame and they are filmed twice, it will be very distracting if their eye focus is not on the same point.

If it is a film camera, it is difficult to overcome this problem, and it can only rely on the manual judgment of the on-site staff.

In the original time and space, Jackie Chan had a movie called "Twin Dragons", in which he played twin brothers, and there were many such bloopers.

When the two of them were in the same frame, their eyes couldn't be focused on each other.

In other words, the audience of that era was not picky. If it were in later times, they would probably be scolded to death.

But the same picture can be captured with a digital camera.

Ning Hao's job in the crew is to copy cards.

The so-called card copying means that after the digital camera is full of shooting, the memory card is taken out and copied to a dedicated storage medium.

That's the job.

"Cut, this shot is over. Let's stop here for this morning. Let's eat first, and then we can continue shooting~"

At Zhang Chen's command, the crew finished work.

The staff members headed towards the cafeteria.

It is really convenient to shoot in a studio. Not only is it easy to transition between scenes, but even eating is much simpler.

If you are outside, you can only eat boxed lunches, even in Hengdian is no exception.

But this is the China Film Digital Base, and there is a cafeteria.

Ning Hao copied the last card and locked the storage medium into the safe. Then he and Zhang Chen wanted to go to the cafeteria for dinner.

Zhang Chen is the director and the most powerful person in the crew, and he eats specially.

The food in the crew is also divided into different levels. If you are rich enough, you can even bring your own chef.

When Stephen Chow was filming, he brought four chefs with him. If he wanted to eat Chinese food, he would eat Chinese food; if he wanted to eat Western food, he would eat Western food.

Ning Hao naturally had special treatment with Zhang Chen, along with Jason and the heads of various departments.

Ning Hao and Zhang Chen took their plates and found a table to sit down. There was no one around, and if the director didn't want them to get together, no one would take the initiative to come over.

"Would you like vinegar?"

"Come on, come on~"

Both of them are from the coal-producing province and they love vinegar.

People in coal-producing provinces love to eat vinegar, and they only like to eat their own aged vinegar.

There is a strange sight in the university cafeterias in the coal-fired provinces: the water dispensers are filled with vinegar.

This kind of spectacle can only be found in universities in coal-producing provinces across the country.

Ning Hao picked up a piece of pork belly and dipped it in vinegar. The originally greasy pork belly immediately became less greasy.

Put it in your mouth and it will fill your mouth with fragrance.

"Tenko, I've always wanted to ask you..."

Ning Hao was chewing and chatting at the same time, mumbling something to himself.

"what?"

Zhang Chen didn't stop eating.

“Why do you have to make a science fiction film?”

Ning Hao was also chatting casually, moving non-stop, and by the way, he picked up a piece of twice-cooked pork from Zhang Chen's plate.

Zhang Chen was eating with a mouthful of delicious food, and wiped his mouth with a tissue: "Why do you want to make a science fiction film?

Ok……

Because it's complicated.
Science fiction films probably cover the most types of jobs in the film industry, and they also have the highest requirements for new technologies.

The trend of movies must be industrialization.

The stronger the film industry becomes, the more invincible it will be in future competition.

Look at Hong Kong, it used to be known as the 'Hollywood of the East'.

It's a tiny country with only a few million people, but the number of films it produces is comparable to that of the powerful Hollywood.

Hong Kong was so powerful, but it eventually declined.

why?
Others say it is because of the loss of overseas markets such as Taiwan, but there is actually another reason, which is that he did not block Western industrialized films.

Terminator
Jurassic Park
From the moment these two special effects blockbusters were released in Hong Kong, Hong Kong films had actually already failed.

Their romance films, action films, and police and gangster films are all good, but they just can’t beat special effects films.

Xu Ke once tried to make a science fiction film, but he was unsuccessful.

If it had succeeded, Hong Kong films today might look very different.

The situation in the mainland is actually similar now.

The difference is that Han Sanping is promoting a blockbuster strategy.

In a way, blockbusters can compete with Hollywood movies.

So we didn’t fail as quickly as Hong Kong, but there is still a huge gap in the film industrialization.

In fact, what I am doing is similar to what Xu Ke did back then.

It’s just that I did a little more than him, which is the basic construction of film industrialization.

If we want to realize the industrialization of film, supporting facilities are indispensable.

You can't order every prop you make from abroad.

But these things are not available in China at present, so I can only start from scratch for "Pacific Rim".

If Pacific Rim is successful, then the second part, of the same scale, may not require 8 million yuan, and may only cost 6 million yuan.

Because the relevant supporting facilities are already in place.

The further we go, the more comprehensive the supporting facilities will be and the lower the cost of the film will be.

But finding the way is a thankless task, who would do it?

Do you count on Huayi?

If we rely on them, our country will never have science fiction films.

It can only be us.

Since Xingchen Entertainment is the leader of domestic private film and television, it must shoulder this responsibility...

"

Ning Hao couldn't even eat after hearing what Zhang Chen said.

No, I'm just asking casually. There's no need for you to say so much in a long speech.

After dinner, the shooting continued in the afternoon.

This is not a coal-fired province, so there is no need for a nap.

Talking about this is strange.

I don’t know what kind of magic the Coal Province has, or maybe there’s a knockout drug in the air.

When people from other places go to the coal-producing provinces, they will also take a nap at noon.

People from the coal-producing province went out of town and suddenly felt less sleepy at noon.

The first day of filming went very smoothly. This team was Zhang Chen’s exclusive team, so there was no problem with getting used to each other.

The staff were also very relaxed. Compared with Zhang Chen’s previous works, "Moon" did not have any complicated scenes and was really easy to shoot.

In the afternoon, someone came to visit the set.

"Hello everyone, hello everyone, Jing Tian and I brought you some fruits~"

Fan Xiaopang and Jing Tian came together.

"It's only the first day, and you guys are here to visit the set?"

"Are you not happy when I give you something delicious?"

Fan Xiaopang really listened to Zhang Chen's advice. She was told that Jing Tian had an extraordinary background and that she should try to make friends with him. So today, they came to visit the set.

Jing Tian actually also participated in this drama. She played the adult daughter of the protagonist, the one in the video.

Of course, that was recorded in advance.

Jing Tian is very excited to be able to participate in "Moon".

No money collected~
Free~
Don't get it wrong, it was Zhang Chen who didn't take the money.

This is the first science fiction film in China, and it is Zhang Chen’s project. Don’t underestimate the low budget. Just be happy that Da Tiantian can show up.

"Okay, everyone, take a half-hour break~"

When someone comes to visit the set, of course we have to give them face. It doesn’t matter if we spend a little time there.

Several people sitting together chatting

Fatty Fan came over and said, "I just found out that you got me a role in a TV series called "Beauty's Rival in Palace"?"

"Yeah." Zhang Chen nodded. Fatty Fan peeled a banana for Zhang Chen, but Zhang Chen refused to eat it, so she ate it on her own: "Did you really pick it up for me? I thought I made a mistake, but why? I'm already filming a movie, why do I have to go back to film a TV series?"

Jing Tian next to her had the same expression. Obviously, she and Fan Xiaopang had the same idea.

"Don't look down on TV dramas~"

Zhang Chen paused and said: "TV dramas are very effective in improving the audience's favorability towards actors, especially female actors.

The most obvious example is Liu Yifei.

Among actresses, Liu Yifei's national popularity is unique now. After the three dramas "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils", "The Legend of Sword and Fairy" and "The Return of the Condor Heroes", her popularity is the highest among female stars.

Why was she chosen as the heroine of "The Forbidden Kingdom"? Was it because of her acting skills or because of her super popularity..."

After Zhang Chen's words, the two people opposite looked at each other.

This time, Zhang Chen looked at Fatty Fan and continued, "Don't think that the role of Du Yunxi will conflict with your previous roles. I tell you, there is no conflict~
What is my position to you?
Independent women~
Your image in "The Shallows", "Pacific Rim" and "Beauty's Secret", is the same in these three movies, an independent woman who refuses to give in, refuses to accept fate, and is able to take on responsibilities and fight.

Your image goes against all traditional female roles.

If you have to find someone similar, you can refer to Angelina Jolie in Hollywood.

There are many first-line actresses in Hollywood, such as Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet, and Anne Hathaway, but they have similar types to each other and can replace each other.

But Angelina Jolie is not, she is definitely an exception.

She is the only actress who can carry an action movie, so her salary can reach more than 2000 million US dollars.

My view of you is similar to hers.

Action film actresses, this track has less competition and is easy to stand out~
Later, I will arrange for you to interact with "Taken" to further deepen your impression~"

After Zhang Chen said this, Fat Fan became excited, his eyes full of light.

This was the first time that Zhang Chen explained her positioning so thoroughly. Only then did she realize that she was on her way to becoming a female action star.

"In foreign countries, the only person who looks like me is Angelina Jolie, while in China, it seems to be Shu Qi."

Zhang Chen nodded: "Yes, Shu Qi is indeed similar to you in type. "Sunset Angels" and "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" are both similar in type, but she can't beat you.

The Hong Kong industry has declined and they can’t make films like Pacific Rim.

The real big productions are still industrial genre films, such as science fiction films, action films, disaster films and the like, with investments exceeding 100 million!
And your conditions are better than hers. Wang Jing chose her because of her temperament. To be honest, her appearance is very ordinary.

The cheekbones are bulging and the eyes are too far apart, like a flounder!

Moreover, she had a bad background, and started out in adult films. Even though she later put her clothes back on, she still couldn't wash away this dark history...

You are different, you have a good appearance, you can be charming if you want, and you can be cool if you want, she can't compare with you~"

Zhang Chen's analysis dispelled Fan Xiaopang's concerns.

During those two years, the Hong Kong media really did everything they could to praise Shu Qi.

A pair of marketing accounts praised her to the sky and promoted her in various ways.

In fact, it is the Hong Kong circle fault.

The "gate" incident involving Ms. Chen directly led to the extinction of the middle-aged female actresses in the Hong Kong circle, leaving only Shu Qi.

There is nothing to brag about in the Hong Kong circle, so one can only brag awkwardly, saying things like "a man liking Shu Qi means he has grown up."

Zhang Chen was pouring out some useful information here, while Jing Tian was listening to him with fascination beside him.

When have you ever heard someone analyze the entertainment industry so deeply?

"Director Zhang, what about me? Which route do you think I should take?"

Zhang Chen glanced at the other person, his eyes full of anticipation.

"You, your situation is different from Fan Binbin's. She was already well-known before I positioned her, so I just needed to continuously strengthen one of her traits.

But you are not famous enough now.

After a few movies we've made together, you'll really be considered a star.

But how long this fame lasts depends on you.

If your acting skills are good and you have a good eye for choosing scripts, then it is possible that you will continue to be popular.

Otherwise, after making a few flops, there is a high probability that it will become out of fashion.

If I were to make the arrangements, the safest approach would be to immediately enter the television industry after a few movies and take on a few hit TV series.

As long as the TV series is popular and your role is outstanding, you will definitely have a group of fans of your own and your basic base will be established.

The loyalty of TV series fans is very high. Whether you continue to make TV series or switch to making movies is up to you~"

After listening to this, Jing Tian seemed to be thinking about something.

What Zhang Chen said was completely different from the route Lu Zheng designed for her, but why did she feel that what Zhang Chen said was more reliable?

"Then can we also do the TV series..."

"We'll see what happens then. If the conditions are right, we can continue to cooperate~"

Zhang Chen didn't say anything definite. The God of Wealth wants to take the initiative to cooperate with you. Are you going to push him away?

……

The filming of "Moon" went smoothly in the next few days, and then Zhang Chen received a call from Chen Xi.

"what?"

"Xu Ke heard that you were making a science fiction film. He is quite interested and wants to watch it up close~"

"I'm doing soft science fiction. What's there to watch? If you want to watch something, you should watch Pacific Rim, right?"

"I don't know about that. That's what Shi Nansheng said. Just tell me if it's okay. If not, I'll just reject him directly~"

"Okay, come on."

It's a good thing that Xu Ke is interested in his movies.

China's film industry cannot rely on him alone. Xu Ke is a director who is very interested in new technologies and has tried to shoot 3D movies a long time ago.

Xu Ke came to the "Moon" studio and was shocked!
The whole scene is so sci-fi...

White space capsule, strange-looking machinery...

"This is?"

"Lunar mining vehicle~"

"This shape... did you design it yourself?"

"Of course not. It was modified according to the E-5015 crawler excavator..."

"Э-5015 crawler excavator?"

"Well, it's from the former Soviet Union, consisting of an SMD-15N diesel engine and dual hydraulic pumps..."

Zhang Chen casually explained the Soviet aesthetic, and then told him that these things were taken from the set of "Pacific Rim".

These were originally props from Pacific Rim, but they were modified and used here first.

"Oh, I've heard about your theory about the Soviet aesthetics of Pacific Rim..."

"Why not use 3D shooting?" Immediately, the curious baby thought of another question.

"Because I don't quite understand those things~" Zhang Chen made up an excuse to get by.

Unexpectedly, I hit the nail on the head: "Actually, 3D movies are very simple. To put it simply, today's 3D is a special treatment of light. Light can be polarized. The processed light has a polarization direction. Although the direction of the light itself does not change, it still looks like the original light.

Then there is a kind of lens called polarized lens, which also has a polarization direction. Light with the same polarization direction can pass through, but light with a different polarization direction cannot.

When 3D movies are shot, two cameras are placed at different angles, almost the angle of the two eyes. When they are shown, the two sets of images are processed in different polarization directions and projected onto the screen.

If the audience does not wear 3D glasses at this time, it will look like two sets of images are blurred together. If they wear 3D glasses, the left and right eyes will see different images due to the filtering of the polarized lenses, just like when people see real objects with glasses, the brain will produce a three-dimensional feeling based on calculations.

"

"It's because it's too expensive. If a 3D movie is shot in 3D, it will cost at least % more than a normal movie. We are in a hurry to release this movie, so we don't have enough time and cost..."

So, Old Monster Xu finally stopped worrying about this issue.

He is really interested in technology. In order to experiment with 3D, he even filmed a movie called "The Legend of Zu".

It’s a bit like making dumplings just for that little bit of vinegar.

But it’s right to pay attention to technology.

The entire history of film development is the history of technological development.

From silent films to sound films, from black and white to color, from montage language to the addition of computer special effects, from 2D mode to 3D and then to IMAX...

Every leap forward in technology is reflected most quickly and sensitively in film, the art form with the most technological inclusiveness.

It was only because of Cameron's pursuit of technology that he was able to stand on the podium and shout to the world: I am the king of the world.

……

"Moon" was completed, but the special effects production was not going smoothly.

This time, since there was not much workload and the difficulty was not high, Zhang Chen simply went to the China Film Digital Special Effects Center nearby.

In fact, there are not many real special effects, just a few shots of the lunar rover, and the rest are the pictures of No. 5 and No. 6 in the same frame.

The two sides had collaborated before on "The Shallows", and the experience was quite pleasant at the time.

But this time, I found that the other party's attitude was a bit perfunctory.

The work is too slow~
When Wu Shixian reported, Zhang Chen was still a little unconvinced.

But when I looked back, it was indeed the case.

It's a state-owned enterprise, so whether you work fast or slow doesn't affect the payment of wages.

And refused to work overtime.

I guess it’s also because the workload of “Moon” was too small and I couldn’t make much money.

Zhang Chen definitely couldn't tolerate this, so he called Han Sanping.

Can it be done?

If I can't do it, I'll find someone else.

This film was supposed to be shot and released quickly. What if you do this and it affects the progress of the film?
(End of this chapter)